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C U L T U R EINDIAN DIASPORA

The culture is almost said to be redefined by Rajputs, as their culture can almost be considered as the inspiration to many ancient cultures those days .

They are famous for their dance which is an integral part of their culture.

SIGNFICANCE OF

BE IT TEMPLES, SCULPTORS, PALACE OR ANYTHING, THEIR KNOWLEDGE IS LIMITLESS

AND EXPLORATION IS ENDLESS.

CULTURE IS NOT A WORD, BUT A WORSHIP TO RAJPUTS

CULTURE IS NOT A WORD, BUT A WORSHIP TO RAJPUTS

RAJPUTS HAVE ADOPTED THE CUSTOM OF ‘PURDAH’.

JUNE 2015 | WWW.WISHESH.COM 39

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C U L T U R EINDIAN DIASPORA

THE ARTS AND LITERATURE

Paramara rulers Munja and Bhoja are well-known scholars of great repute. The following are the works of Bhoja – Ayurvedasarvasva, Rajamriganka, Vyavaharasamuchchaya, Sabdanusasana and Yuktikalpataru.

Bhoja patronized literary giants such as Padmagupta, Dhanika, Halayudha, Dhananjaya and Amitragati. Rajasekhara, the author of the drama of Karpuramanjari in Prakrit was patronized by Mahendrapala of Kanauj.

King Lakshmana Sena of Bengal p a t r o n i z e d J a y a d e v a , the author of Gita Govinda. Kalhana, the author of R a j t a r a n g i n i , Somadevasuri, the author

of Kathasaritsagara, Chand Bardai, the author Prithiviraj Raso and Brihatkathamanjari, belonged to this period. Vernacular literature also made a beginning in this period. Hemachanda Suri, an another great Jain poet is the one who occupies a very comfortable place for his services.

RAJPUTS AS BUILDERS:

Other than patronizing arts and literature, the Rajputs were also great builders. Art historians divide their period into two halves, the first part from AD 600-900 and the second part from AD 900-1200. The second part exposes more ornamentation than the first part.

The fortresses located at Chittorgarh, Ranathanbhor and Kumbalgarh in Rajasthan along with Mandu, Gwalior, Chandai and Asirgarh in Madhya Pradesh are a few of the specimens of secular art of the Rajputs

PALACES AND TEMPLES:

The palaces in Rajasthan are the pride marks of the Rajputs art and architecture. They even constructed a number of temples. The Chandella

rulers built by the Khajuraho group of temples numbering 80. The each temple over there exhibits individual architectural character, which stands in good testimony to the artistic excel lence of the Rajput artists and craftsmen.

These temples are well known for their graceful contours, rich surface treatment and an elegant proportions. Specially, the Sikharas of these temples, which are both Brahmanical and Jaina appear as most refined and exhibit elegance in every inch.

The Jaina complex at Mount Abu is very remarkable for its marble halls, a central dome of 11 concentric rings and richly carved vaulted ceiling and pillars. They also built Siva temples at Nemavar and Udaipur. It is said that Rudramala temple is one of the largest and most decorated religious monuments in India.

From the inroads of r u t h l e s s i n v a d e r s like Ghajini and Ghori, the Rajputs acted as the d e f e n d e r s of Indian c u l t u r e , which later led to the

postponement for the establishment of Muslim power in India

On the other side, the Rajputs failed to make an impact on preventing the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate by their narrow and clannish outlook, lack of foresight and failure to realize the impending danger knocking at their gates and importance of burying mutual jealousies for a common good.

Rajputs have adopted the custom of ‘Purdah’. The main intention of Rajputs behind adopting this is, to make a physical segregation of the sexes and the requirement that women cover their bodies so as to cover their skin and conceal their form. It is still being followed by the Muslim communities in Afghanistan and Pakistan and also the upper caste Hindus in North India, like Rajputs.